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Domestic News
November 9, 1836
Morning Star
Limerick, York County, Maine
What is this article about?
A letter from Mrs. Mary A. L. Gage describes how freed slave Simon Moody from Virginia showed gratitude by caring for his impoverished former master in Ohio, countering stereotypes of emancipated slaves' ingratitude.
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HOW THEY WOULD CUT THEIR MASTER'S THROATS IF THEY WERE FREE.—
The following apt illustration of this tendency of all emancipated slaves to cut their master's throats is taken from a letter, addressed by Mrs Mary A. L. Gage, of Concord, Ross co. Ohio, to the South Reading Females' Anti-Slavery Society, Mass.
Simon Moody.—It is said that the slave, if set free, will prove ungrateful—will cut his master's throat, because he has shown him a favor once in his life. What say facts?
Simon Moody, with whom we are acquainted, was freed some years since by his master, a Virginian planter, and furnished with a horse to take him to Ohio. He had gone but a little way, when he returned—told his master he had given him all he needed, the best of gifts, and he came back to leave the horse. "I have my free papers I can get to Ohio. Massa may need the horse—I am free—I can work and buy one." He came to Chillicothe, worked until he had money enough to buy him a farm, has now a good house, and his farm is well stocked.
Going to Chillicothe market one day, his attention was directed to a crowd of boys running and hallooing after a drunken man. Simon came up with the crowd just as the man fell into the street; he looked over the boy's heads, recognized the stranger, rushed through the crowd, embraced the prostrate body, crying out—"Oh! master, master!' He took him in his wagon, carried him home. clothed him well, and told him that he would take care of him as long as he lived, and never ask him to do a stroke of work.
The old master had become dissipated—lost his property, and was on his way to see his friends in Kentucky.— He spent some time with Simon, who furnished him with money to pursue his journey, and said, "Now master, if your friends in Kentucky will not own you, come live with me and welcome." After a few months, he returned in as pitiable a condition as before. Simon again supplied his wants, and helped him on to Virginia.
The following apt illustration of this tendency of all emancipated slaves to cut their master's throats is taken from a letter, addressed by Mrs Mary A. L. Gage, of Concord, Ross co. Ohio, to the South Reading Females' Anti-Slavery Society, Mass.
Simon Moody.—It is said that the slave, if set free, will prove ungrateful—will cut his master's throat, because he has shown him a favor once in his life. What say facts?
Simon Moody, with whom we are acquainted, was freed some years since by his master, a Virginian planter, and furnished with a horse to take him to Ohio. He had gone but a little way, when he returned—told his master he had given him all he needed, the best of gifts, and he came back to leave the horse. "I have my free papers I can get to Ohio. Massa may need the horse—I am free—I can work and buy one." He came to Chillicothe, worked until he had money enough to buy him a farm, has now a good house, and his farm is well stocked.
Going to Chillicothe market one day, his attention was directed to a crowd of boys running and hallooing after a drunken man. Simon came up with the crowd just as the man fell into the street; he looked over the boy's heads, recognized the stranger, rushed through the crowd, embraced the prostrate body, crying out—"Oh! master, master!' He took him in his wagon, carried him home. clothed him well, and told him that he would take care of him as long as he lived, and never ask him to do a stroke of work.
The old master had become dissipated—lost his property, and was on his way to see his friends in Kentucky.— He spent some time with Simon, who furnished him with money to pursue his journey, and said, "Now master, if your friends in Kentucky will not own you, come live with me and welcome." After a few months, he returned in as pitiable a condition as before. Simon again supplied his wants, and helped him on to Virginia.
What sub-type of article is it?
Slave Related
What keywords are associated?
Freed Slave
Gratitude
Anti Slavery
Simon Moody
Former Master
What entities or persons were involved?
Simon Moody
Mrs Mary A. L. Gage
Where did it happen?
Ohio
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Ohio
Event Date
Some Years Since
Key Persons
Simon Moody
Mrs Mary A. L. Gage
Outcome
simon moody prospered, bought a farm, and repeatedly cared for his former master by providing shelter, clothing, and money.
Event Details
Freed slave Simon Moody returned his master's horse, worked in Chillicothe to buy a farm, recognized and cared for his destitute former master multiple times, offering lifelong support.